When we’re lacking stories for a full post, we’ll post some thoughts on the stories of the day. This is that post.

Belichick's Reaction

– Colts 35, Patriots 34. What a great game. First regular season game that we remember that that has lived up to the ESPN produced hype. The issue here is the call by New England to go for it on 4 and 2 from their own 28 yard line with just over 2 minutes left in the 4th. Maybe it’s just me, but I think this is a signal of something. The Patriots don’t make that call. They understand clock management better than everyone else. It’s not Andy Reid on the opposite sideline, it’s Bill Belichick – a guy with 3 Super Bowl rings. You have to at least make Peyton Manning work for the go ahead score. But they didn’t…and they lost. The old (read: 2001-2005) Patriots punt and hold their opponent. The 2007 Patriots go for it and make it, and then score an “eff you” touchdown (hat tip Bill Simmons). These Patriots panicked, and we think they might be slipping.

The Newest Bobcat

– Stephen Jackson Traded. Meh. Was hoping that Jackson got dealt to a contender…we think he’s still a difference maker, even if he’s a headcase. Instead he’s dealt to Charlotte, where he’ll be the only offense. Liked Acie Law in college, he’s now buried on the bench behind Ray Felton and DJ Augustin (another guy we loved in college). Too Bad. Golden State doesn’t really get much out of this. Perhaps addition by subtraction by dealing Jackson. Raja Bell plays defense…he’s now the only guy in northern California that does. The Warriors have a lot of young talent that fits their system, but between Don Nelson hating young guys and deal like this that just crowd the rotation, they are not going anywhere.

– Bob Stoops to South Bend? (Chicago Sun-Times via Colin Cowherd) Reports saying that Bob Stoops and Kirk Ferentz top the short list to replace Charlie Weis at Notre Dame don’t make a lot of sense to us. Ferentz is a defense first guy, and it’s nearly impossible to field a high caliber defense, plus he’s not a “blue chip” kinda guy, he molds unheralded kids into stars. Stoops would be more interesting, but we’d save the roughly $40 million (~$20 million to Weis in a buyout plus Stoops rumored ~$18 million buyout) and go Brian Kelly. Kelly has proven he can win anywhere, and he’s got the offense that would fit the Irish’s current roster. Stoops would probably lost both of his coordinators, meaning he’s going to have to rebuild a little, which means a longer wait for a return to the BCS. Lastly, isn’t Weis being run off for his terrible record in big games? (two wins since 2006 against teams that finished over .500) Why go out and get Stoops who has notably flopped in any big games since the exit of Jason White and Adrian Peterson?